NEW DELHI: The second day of the three-day annual youth conclave “Vimarsh 2025”, organised by the youth organisation YUVA at Delhi University’s Kamala Nehru College campus, began with great enthusiasm and a vibrant cultural spirit on November 8. The day opened with colorful performances of folk art, dance, and music from various Indian states, beautifully reflecting the spirit of “Unity in Diversity.”
Following the cultural presentations, the central theme of the day was “100 Years of Service and Nation Building: Towards a Self-Reliant Bharat.”
The session featured distinguished guests — Chief Guest Mukund Bihari, eminent speakers Ratan Sharda and Rahul Roushan, and panelist Neha Beniwal.
“The Sangh works for social transformation through individual development.” – Mukund Bihari
In his inspiring address, Chief Guest Mukund Bihari stated that India today faces numerous challenges — crime, social distortions, and terrorism — all rooted in the moral and cultural imbalance within society. He said, “The British not only damaged our education and economy but also tried to detach us from our cultural identity. The RSS reconnected society with its roots.”
He described “Cultural Nationalism” as the complementary relationship between the individual and society, emphasizing that in Indian culture, the two are not opposed but rather cooperative and interdependent.
“Service is not a byproduct — it is the essence of the Sangh.” – Ratan Sharda
RSS thinker Ratan Sharda highlighted that since its inception, the organization has made extraordinary contributions to nation-building. He said, “For the RSS, service is the very foundation — not a secondary outcome.”
Citing historical examples, he noted that from the 1965 war to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, India has made remarkable progress toward self-reliance.
He further emphasised that India is now seen as a friendly nation embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family.
Reflecting on the country’s evolving landscape, he said that post-2014, India entered a new era of direction and confidence.
He recalled the various challenges faced by the Sangh — from the bans during 1930–32 and 1948 to its role in the Goa Liberation Movement — yet noted that the organization never wavered from its path of duty.
Speaking on the Ram Mandir Movement, he said, “It was not merely about constructing a temple, but about uniting millions of people.”
Referring to the Five Transformative Focus Areas of the RSS — Social Harmony, Family Enlightenment, Environment, Self-Development, and Civic Duty — he concluded, “We are not here to celebrate a birthday; we are here to transform society.”
“A Shift Toward Ideological Balance in Media” – Rahul Roushan
Independent journalist and founder of a digital media platform, Rahul Roushan, in his address, observed that for a long time, a single ideological narrative dominated the media, but now, ideological diversity is emerging.
He said, “Earlier, crimes against Hindus were often ignored by the media; today, such incidents are reported with equal seriousness.”
Discussing the Indian concept of nationalism, he explained that India, unlike Western nations that rely on constitutional nationalism, can advance its own ancient and culturally inspired vision of nationalism.
To this, Ratan Sharda responded, “India’s nationalism is thousands of years old; it draws inspiration not from the Constitution but from culture. For us, it is not ‘Unity in Diversity,’ but ‘Unity expressed in Diverse Forms.’”
Message to the Youth: “Change Yourself, and the Nation Will Change”
Concluding the session, the speakers engaged with the young audience, urging them to embrace service, harmony, and social responsibility as the foundation for a self-reliant India. Rahul Roushan said, “Today’s youth must stand for national interest with clarity of thought and conviction. If we change ourselves, the nation will change; if we think, the nation will think.”
The day concluded with patriotic songs and messages of unity. The second day of “Vimarsh 2025” reaffirmed that India’s youth are not merely the hope of the future — they are the driving force of transformation in the present.
